Job Description
About Us
The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) is radically changing the way cancer research is done. Founded in 2016 through a $250 million gift from Silicon Valley entrepreneur and philanthropist Sean Parker, the San Francisco-based nonprofit is an unprecedented collaboration between the country’s leading immunotherapy researchers and cancer centers, including Stanford Medicine, the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of California, San Francisco, the University of Pennsylvania, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Gladstone Institutes. The institute also supports top researchers at other institutions, including City of Hope, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Institute for Systems Biology and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
By forging alliances with academic, industry and nonprofit partners, PICI makes big bets on bold research to fulfill its mission: to accelerate the development of breakthrough immune therapies to turn all cancers into curable diseases.
Help us create a world that doesn’t fear cancer. Join us. www.parkerici.org
Overview of the Role
The Head of Communications & Marketing is a critically important role within PICI and a key member of PICI Leadership. This senior leader will possess expertise in communications & marketing and be responsible for development and oversight of PICI’s brand strategy. This important role will have the opportunity to build our brand strategy capabilities and realize the potential and vision for PICI.
Reporting Structure and Team
The Head of Communications & Marketing reports to the Sr. Vice President Strategy, Operations & Communications
FLSA Status: Exempt
Essential Job Functions
- Develop and implement overarching PICI marketing strategy (brand identity, positioning, key messages & touchpoints, reputation, style, expression) leveraging existing and new channels.
- Generate new and innovative brand strategy and marketing campaigns for PICI, lead strategic initiatives in collaboration with cross-functional partners (e.g., webinars, podcasts, events, etc.) to increase brand visibility and impact of messaging to key scientific, industry and media stakeholders.
- Build PICI’s marketing capabilities by hiring outstanding talent and leveraging network and relationships. Build fit for purpose team and vendor constellation to support organizational needs.
- Partner with cross functional teams (Business Operations, Clinical, Research, Business Development) to maximize Network, Industry, Donor Community, and Board engagement.
- Oversee all internal and external PICI communications platforms incl. creation and execution of content calendars for PICI channels – social, website member center, web/email, retreats etc. Develop fit for purpose content for various audiences (scientific, investor community, industry etc.) with a consistent voice and throughline.
- Ownership of brand creative assets & support development of high-quality materials for presentations, publications, print, photography/video etc. to meet needs of various stakeholders (research, clinical, business development). Ensure brand style guidance is implemented throughout produced materials.
- Primary point of contact for media relations: press relationship management, media outreach, public relations and maintaining a strong media interest in PICI.
- Partner with PICI leadership in development of key strategic narratives for internal, and external audiences and distillation of key messages to various types of stakeholders and to support building and maintenance of PICI’s culture and community; provide valued input in yearly strategic planning process.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in a relevant field e.g., MBA / Masters in Communications/Marketing preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role in strategic communications / brand strategy / marketing. Must have experience building and leading a brand.
- Demonstrated success in building and leading high performing, diverse teams across the disciplines of brand strategy, marketing, and communications.
- Extensive successful writing and editing experience (externally and internally focused) in storytelling with a variety of print and online communications media.
- Track record in developing and executing successful brand & marketing strategies; building globally recognized campaigns and brand activities.
- Experience developing pitch materials and gaining buy in from senior leaders, investors, and partners (e.g., donors & pharma partners).
- Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders within the PICI network and external partners (senior leadership, Board of Directors, network luminaries and external stakeholders)
- Ability to partner and collaborate with executives from various backgrounds and disciplines to support development of narrative storytelling, various types of materials, and provide expert advice in strategic plans.
- Intellectual curiosity, entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative approach to work, and excitement to advance the PICI mission.
- Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal and presentation skills
- Expertise & advanced skills in presentation software (Power Point, Keynote etc.), & marketing analytics
- Network of high-performance vendors to augment team skills (graphic design, video production, photography etc.)